David H Koch brandjacked by bloggers

By Quentin Langley

Theatre is widely considered to be a good thing. People on the political left in particular tend to think that theatre is something which should be encouraged. Wealthy people who sponsor the arts no doubt believe that they derive many things from doing so - the ability to promote something they believe in; the opportunity to hobnob with artists; tax write offs. The benefits are legion, but somewhat insulating yourself against criticism from liberals would seem to be one of them. Apparently not.

The David H Koch Theater was brandjacked last week with projections slamming the billionaire's support for libertarian causes. He sent money to support Scott Walker's campaign for governor of Wisconsin - though for all the talk of buying influence, it seems the two are not well acquainted. Koch is strongly opposed to Obamacare.

It is a sad reflection on the quality of partisan debate that bloggers criticising Koch's politics chose not engage on any issues, but merely cast aspersions on his motives. Unable to conceive that someone might have a principled objection to any policy they support, they instead allege the Koch brothers "try to derail health care reform because they’ve concluded that it will cut into their profit margins".

The actual brandjack, though seems to have been carried out with some style and humour, and is a worthy inclusion in Brandjack News.

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